Color Measurement Apparatus Using Mark-Based Coordinate Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printed matter check apparatuses require image sensors, increasing costs and complicating color measurement processing, making accurate color adjustments between a final contract proof and printed matter difficult due to dimensional size errors.

Innovation Solution

A measurement apparatus that inputs reference and measurement point positions, allowing the measurement instrument to move and compare color values at corresponding points, using computational means to evaluate and correct for dimensional errors, enabling simple and cost-effective color matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an image sensor (camera) is used to read images for pattern matching, then positioning accuracy between reference printed matter and checked printed matter is improved, but device cost and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of image reading from complex image sensors and reduces it to simple mark detection. By focusing only on detecting predetermined marks (not entire images), the system achieves positioning accuracy without requiring cameras or complex image processing, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses simple mark patterns as copies or representations of position information rather than capturing full images. The predetermined marks serve as simplified copies that contain only the necessary positioning data, eliminating the need for complex image sensors while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If an image sensor is used to obtain images for pattern matching, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive image sensors with simple, inexpensive mark detection mechanisms. The predetermined marks are simple graphical elements that can be detected by basic sensors, making the overall device much cheaper to manufacture while still achieving accurate positioning through the mark-based coordinate system correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If color patches in the control strip are measured or pictures are directly measured, then color adjustment accuracy is improved, but positioning difficulty increases due to dimensional size errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor adjustment accuracyVSAvoidpositioning difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary coordinate system correction based on detected mark positions before performing color measurements. By pre-correcting for dimensional size errors and positional offsets using the mark-based coordinate transformation, the system ensures that subsequent color measurements are automatically taken at the correct corresponding positions, eliminating positioning difficulty while maintaining color adjustment accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual positioning operations with an automated coordinate system correction mechanism. Instead of manually adjusting positions to account for dimensional errors, the system automatically calculates and applies coordinate transformations based on detected mark positions, substituting mechanical positioning with computational correction to achieve accurate color measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2979868B1Measuring device, measurement method, information processing device, and measurement program
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 PROSPER CREATIVE
  • EP2979868B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2979868B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2979868B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

According to the present invention, a measurement apparatus (100) for measuring values for color adjustments in a print technique includes a measurement instrument (10) including a means for detecting a measurement value at an arbitrary measurement point, a movement means (30) for the measurement instrument (10), a reference coordinate calculation means, a measurement coordinate calculation means, and a computation means. The reference coordinate calculation means calculates a reference coordinate value of a measurement point (35a, 35b) in a coordinate system of a reference-image. The measurement coordinate calculation means compares both origins (33a, 34a) thereby to calculate a corrected value of a coordinate system of a measurement- image relative to the coordinate system of the reference-image, and corrects the position of the measurement origin (34a) based on the corrected value thereby to correct the reference coordinate value and calculates a measurement coordinate value in the coordinate system of the measurement-image corresponding to the measurement point (35a, 35b) of the reference-image. The computation means calculates information for comparing and evaluating the measurement value acquired at the measurement point (35a, 35b) of the reference-image and the measurement value acquired at the measurement point (36a, 36b) of the measurement-image.